Machine for folding collar-blanks, &amp;c.



J. MAITLAND L W. J. BEATTIE. MACHINE FOR PGLDING COLLAR BLANKS, am.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 18, 1905.

1,071,677, Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

jlllllllllllml J. MAITLAND & W. J. BEATTIE.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING COLLAR BLANKS, dw.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 18 1,071,677.

10 SHEETSSHEET 2.

J. MAITLAND & W. J. BEATTIE.

MACHINE POR FOLDING COLLAR BLANKS, am.

5 VM, m; 1 L 9T I1/Ari 6,. i L n/NH j. vom ..1 A d0 W w1 w .J Lb n@ PAPPLICATION FILED AUG. 18, 1905.

J. MAITLAND & W. J. BBATTIE.

MACHINE PoR FOLDING COLLAR BLANKS, am.

APPLICATION FILED AUG,18, 1905.` 1,071,677.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

J. MAITLAND & W. J. BEATTIE.

MACHINE PoR FOLDING COLLAR BLANKS, aw.

APPLICATION FILED AUG, 18, 1905. 1,071,677, Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

F... E C 3 WZL@ J. MAITLAND & W. J. BBATTIE.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING COLLAR BLANES, am.

AIPLICATXON FILED AUG.18, 1905.

1,071,677. Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

10 SHEBTS-SHERT G.

[i i E E durf WEMSEE NVENTUP@ J. MAITLAND c; W. J. BEATTIE.

MACHlNE PoR FOLDING COLLAR BLANKS, am.

APPLICATION TILED AUG. 18. 1905. 1,071,677.

Patented Aug. 2G. w13.

/ i yf FHS FISQ* J. MAITLAN'D 6l W. J. BEATTIE.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING COLLAR BLANKS, (50.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.18, 1905,

1,071,677. Patented Aug. 26,A 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

J. MAITLAND & W. J. BEATTIE.

MACHINE Foa FOLDING COLLAR BLANES, m.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 18, 1905.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

10 SHEETS-SHEBT 9.

j umm Illlllllllllil imm i: i 55W MIIIHIIIIIIH:NNNIIIIIIHIIIIHIIIIIIIHIIIIHIIHHHMHIIHM#Y MAW-HEEEES Q .L MAITLAND & W.J. BEATTIE.

MAGHINL FOR FOLDING COLLAR BLANES, Le.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 18, 1905.

w 3 w. Y A, www u B Am J 2 m w N/Nm t LM N. flhh* OW Q Dnm \k\ )M m\\ ay 0\|m.m\ 0 s 4/ Q \)N E E 5 WH 5 6, F L .l IN .a MW mi? l W L UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MAITLANDAND WALTER J. BEATTIE, OF COHOES, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TOBEATTIE MACHINE WORKS, OF COHOES, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

MACHINE FOR FOLDING ACOLIIJAR-BLANKS, &c.

Patented Aug. 26, 1913.

serial No. 274,678.

To all ywhom it may concern.'

le it known that we, JoHN MAITLAND and "AL'ri-iR J. BEA'r'rIE, citizensof the Fnited States. residing at Cohoes, county of Albany, and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machinesfor Folding Collarlilanks, &c., of which the following is aspecification.

The invention relates to such improvements and consists of the novelconstruction and Vcombination of parts hereinafter described andsubsequently claimed.

Reference may be had vto the accompanying drawings, and the referencecharacters marked thereon. which form a part of this sl'ieeitication.Similar characters refer to `similar parts in the several figurestherein.v

Figure 1 of the drawings is a top plan view of the improved foldingmachine. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a rearelevation of the same. Fig. 4 is an end view in elevation as the sameappears when viewed from the right-hand end of the machine as shown inFigs. 1 and 2 showing the former disconnected and collapsed. Fig. 5 is aview in elevation of the opposite end of the machine showing theforiilier expanded. Fig. G is a vertical cross-section taken on thebroken line 0-6 in Fig. 2 looking toward the left-hand end of themachine with the former contracted as shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is ahorizontal section tal-:en on the breken line 7-7 in Fig. 4'

showing one end of the rotary vertically movable bed and the slidewaysand slidebox which support that end. Fig. 8 is a view in elevation ofthe slide-box shown in Fig. 7 detached together with its operatingcam-follower. Fig. 9 is a bottom plan view ef one of the bed-platesdetached showing the yielding points and lifters or guides Yfor holdingand guiding the Work. Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are side elevations of thepoints and litters detached. Fig. 13 is a view in end elevation of aportion of the end of the machine shown in Fig. 5 provided with anattachment for automatically placing collar blanks on the bed of themachine and showing hv dotted lines the former in an expanded conditionand raised .from the bed ol' the machine and h v solid section linesresting on the bed. the folders being shown withdrawn from the formers.fragmentary view showing the relative posit-ion of the rotary bed,formers and folders, when the former-plates are expanded and restingupon the bed and the folderplates advanced to overlap the. formerplates.Fig. 15 is a view in front elevation of the automatic feeding mechanismviewed from the right-hand as shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 16 is a view inisometrical perspective of the diagonally movable former blocks detachedfrom the former-head and showing the upper sides which engage the headwhen in use. Fig. 17 is a view in isometrical perspective of thefolder-plate blocks for fold- `ing on three sides, with the thin platesattached, and viewed from the lower side.

This invention relates to automatic or power machines as distinguishedfrom hand machines and includes a rotary multiple bed and means forfolding certain sides of'a collar or cuff blank on one of the planesurfaces of the bed and the other parts on another surface of the bedwhereby a much narrower blank, such as is lused for the bands of somecollars can be folded than is possible with a folding machine whichfolds all sides of a blank simultaneously.

The edges of the fabric blanks are inturned or folded over former-platesby means of folder-plates movable to and fro on the surface of the bedafter which the former-plates movable to and fro on the head, commonlycalled former-head, are withdrawn from the4 folds and the folds pressedbetween the folder-plates and the bed to fold and press the edges of theblanks, the operation of the former and folder-plates being similar tothat of hand machines heretofore in use, one form of which isillustrated in U. S. Patent No. 713,230, issued to iis November 11,1902, to which reference may be had in connection with thisspecification.

The other novel features will be hereinafter more fully described andclaimed.

Referring to the drawings, 1, represents the main frame of the machinewhich supports, in the bearings, 2 and 3, a powershaft, 4. which may beprovided with the band-wheel, 5, for driving the shaft and the pinion,0, fixed on the shaft and adapted to mesh with gear-wheel, 7, fixed onthe shaft 8, the bearing, 3, being supported b v a hanger, 0, to whichis pivoted a pawl, 10, controlled by a spring, 12, and adapted to engagewith a Pinion, 0. to prevent backward movement of the power-shaft, thehanger, 9, depending from the longitudinal beams 13. The shaft, 8, isrotary in bearings, 14, and is provided at the right-hand end, as seenin Fig. 2, with cam-Wheels or disks fixed thereon, which cam-wheels areshown in elevation in Fig. 4, and on the opposite end of the shaft withother camwheels or disks which are shown in elevation in Fig. 5. Thesecam-wheels serve to automatically impart to the var ious mechanismstheir working movements.

At the top of the machine is located the former-head, 20, which supportsthe'formerplates, 21 and 22, which have a slide movement on the head, aswill be hereinafter more fully described. The former-head is providedwith the arms, 23, fixed at one end to the head as by the bolts, 24, andfixed at their other ends upon the shaft, 25, by means of set-screws,26, passing through collars, 27, to engage with the shaft as seenclearly in Fig. l. The shaft, 25, is provided with a rock-arm, 28, fixedupon the shaft which arm is connected by lilik, 29, with one end oflever, 30, pivoted on the end of shaft, 31, the other end of lever, 30,being connected by a spring, 32, with the eye, 33, inserted in andprojecting from the main frame as seen in Fig. 4. The inner end oflever, 30, is provided with an inwardly projecting pin, 34, adapted toengage with the cam-wheel, 35, being held in contact therewith by thespring 32.

The cam-wheel is rotated in the direction of the arrow, 36, when themachine is in operation and when the cam, 37, engages the follower orpin, '34, it actuates the lever, 30, which by means of link, 29, andlever, 28, rocks the shaft, 25, thereby lifting the former-head, 20, offfrom the bed by' means of the arms, 23, to the elevated position shownin Fig. 13. A full rotary movement of the cam-wheel, 35, Will permit thepinfollower, 34, to pass down the cam, 38, and restore the former-headto the bed of the machine in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

As a means for automatically communicating` slide movements to theformer-plates, 21, on the former-head which are connected with theslide-posts, 40, as will be herein after more fully described, saidblocks are respectively connected by links, 41 and 42, with the crankdisk, 43, rotatory upon a stud, 44, projecting from the upright, 45,provided with the base-block, 46, secured to the former-head by -meansof a screw-bolt 47. The disk is provided with a crank-arm, 48, securedthereto, as by the rivets, 49, and this crank-arm is pivotally connectedby means of lilik, 50, with a lever pivotally supported upon the shaft,25, comprising the arms, 51, and 52, connected by the segment, 53, of acylindrical shell and provided with the arm, 54, fixed to and projectingfrom the arm 51. The other arm, 52, is provided with a projecting arm,55, having a projecting stud, 56, pivotally connected by link, 5T, witha stud, 58, projecting from one arm, 59, of a bell-crank lever fulcrumedupon the shaft, 31, the other end, 60, of the bell crank lever beingadapted to be engaged by cam, 61, secured to and projecting fromcamwheel, 35, so that the rotary movements of such cam-wheel willactuate the rock-lever, 59 and 60, link, 57', segment, 53, link, 50, andcrank-disk, 43, to cause the slide movement of the former-plates in onedirection, and when the cam, 61, passes from the leverarm, 60, lthespring, 64, secured at one end to the eye, 65, projecting from the frameof the machine and at the other end to the lever-arm, 59, restores theparts, including the slide-blocks, 40, to the position shown in Fig. 4,thereby producing the required slide movements of the former-plates. Thefolder-plates are actuated by 'crankdisks, 70,-operating insuhstantiall)v the sa me manner as that described in said former patent.Each of said crank-disks has a crank-pin, 260, which closely fits anaperture in the block, 261, which is attached to the folder-plate bymeans of bolts, 262, thus establishing a close-fitting crank-connectionbetween the respective crank-disks, 70, and the folder-plates or blocks,as shown in detail near the righthand end of Fig. 2, where the block,261, is shown partly broken awa;y and in section, to illustrate themanner of connecting the crank-disk, 70, with the folder-plate or block192. As a means for automatically operating these crank-disks the shaftsof which are rotary in bearingsleeves, 71, depending` from the mainframe and provided at their lower ends with the bevel-gear, 72, weprovide bevel-gears, 73. fixed upon shafts, 31 and 62, adapted to engageWith the bevel-gears, 72, there being one shaft and gears on each sideof the machine for operating the oppositely disposed folders. As shownin Fig. 5 these shafts are supported in bearings on the outer ends of'brackets, 74, secured by screw-bolts, 7 5, upon the loWer ends of theparts, 76, depending from the inclined roof, 77, of the main frame whichafford guideways for the slideboxes of the revolving bed, as will hehereinafter more fully explained.

The end of the shaft, 62, shown in Fig. 5 is provided with a rock-arm,78, fixed thereon, as by means of set-screw, 7 9, and the shaft, 31, isprovided with a rock-lever comprising the arms, 80 and 81. fixed uponthe shaft as by set-screw 82. The arms` 78 and 80, are pivotallyconnected by the link` 83, and the arm, 81, of the rock-lever isprovided with a cam-follower` 84. adjustably secured thereon by means ofa screw-threaded stem, 85, passing through a similar screwwheel, 91,rotary` lthreaded aperture in the arm, 81, and fixed thereon by alock-nut 86. This follower is adapted to be engaged by a cam, 90, oneamin'the direction of the arrow, 92, which rocks the rock-lever andimparts a rocking movement in Aonedirection.

to both shafts, 31 and 62, by means of the connecting link, 83, andwhenthe raised portion of the cam-wheel, 91, passesthe camfollower, thefollower rides down the cam, 93, and rocking movementin the loppositedirection is imparted to the shafts, 31 and 02, by means of the spring,94, 'fixed at one end to arm, 80, of the rock-lever and at the other endeach to the fixed support, a's

shown. y Y

As a means for supporting and rotating the multiple bed cylinder orshell, 95, which is exteriorly provided with seven plane surfaces, 90,we provide the shell with trunnions, 97, inserted ione in each end ofthe shell, the openings at the ends of the shell being contracted to fitand support the trunnions, also slide-bearings for the trunnionsconsisting of boxes, 98, vertically movable in the hanger guides, 70,the tongues, 100, on the boxes being movable in the correspondiug groov,101, in the guides. '.The bearing aperture,102, for the trunnion isclearly shown in Fig. 8.'

'lh'e objects ofsupporting the rotary bed in vertically movable bearingsand imparting a vertical movement to the bed are to press the foldedblank between the bed and folders, also toipermit of its rotationwithout the engagement with the folders of its corners, 103, ormed bytwo neighboring exterior' plane surfaces,.the bed being dropped orlowered during each rotary. movement and afterward beingraised to theproper position for folding the blanks. As a means for raising andlowering the bed we provide the cam-followers, 105`and 106, which aresecured to the slide blocks' containing the bearings for the'bedtrunnions. l These camfollowers are'provided with a screw-threaded stemwhich is adjustably inserted in its screw-threaded aperture in the lowerside of the'bearing box, as seen in Fig. 8 of the drawings,.where theymay be securely locked in any adjusted position by 'means of thelock-nuts 107. The cam-followersa actuated by. cams onthe main-shaft,the follower, thecam, 108, and the cam-follower, 106, by the cam, 109,to lift `the bed from the position shownin FigsA and 5 to ca use thesaine to ,engage -with the folder-plates `to press the fold;

As the cam-wheels continue to rotate in the.' direction of` the arrowsthe cams, 110, permit the, rotary bed to drop to its lowest level so asto disengage the teeth or catches, 112, from the stop, 113, which stopserves to lock the bed against rotative movement, the stop being rigidlysecured to the frame of tion,as in pressing,

i the machine by means of the bolts, 114, and

later the cams, 115, raise the bed'to the position shown in Fig. 4 andlock the same from rotary movements by means of engagement of stop, 113,with one of the teeth 112. Vhen the cams, 108 and 109, engage thefollowers to raise the bed to its highest posithe stop, 113, enters thenotch or groove, 116, at the base of a tooth engaging with the stop. Theteeth, 112 are 75 formed on a wheel provided with acollar, 117, adaptedto fit on one of the bed trunnions, 97, and be secured thereto by meansof a set-screw 118. The trunnion at the opposite end of the rotary bedis provided witha'wheel having teeth, 120, and hub, 121, adapted to besecured to the trunnion by means of set-screw 122. -These teeth, 120,

are adapted to be engaged by the teeth, 123,

on the arm, 124, secured to and projecting from one of the cam-Wheelswhich impart vertical movements to the bed and thereby impartintermittent, rotary movements to the bed. Each revolution of the arm,124, imparts to the bed one-seventh of a complete rotation so as topresent successively each one of the seven plane surfaeesrof the bed tothe folding mechanism. The locking wheel is provided with seven teeth,112, and notches, 110, to lock the. bed in each successive rotaryposition and permit of its vertical movement while in such position topress the folds in the blanks.

A counterbalancing weight, 125, pivotally secured to lever, 126, servesto assist the 100 movement of raising the former-head from .the positionshown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, to that shown in Fig. 13.

The blanks may be fed to the machine by hand in the usual manner ofplacing the blanks upon the bed of hand machines, but we have shown inFigs. 13 and 15 means for automatically feeding blanks to the machinecomprising a shaft, 130, rota-ry in suitable bearings, 131, secured tothel main frame ofthe machine provided at one end with a pinion, 132,fixed on the shaft and adapted to mesh with the segmental gear, 133,rotary'u on the' stud, 134, projecting from the bloc 100, andfactuatedby means 1'15 of the rock-lever having the arms, 135 and 136, fulcrumedat 137,.; upon the block, the shaft, 130, being provided with thelcurved rock-levers, 188, which support the feedboard 139. The arm, 135,of the rock-lever 120 engages with the stud, 140` of the gear-segmentand the arm, V130, is engageable by cam, 141, on one of the cam-wheelssecured to shaft, 8, to impart a vibratory movement to `the rock-levers,138, to carry the fcedboard to and from the rotary bed along the, pathindicated by the curved dotted lines, 142, in Fig. lf3, theconnterlnilaiwingweight, 144, pivotally secured to the rock. lever, 145,fixed on shaft, 130, serving to -retract the feed-board and itssupporting mechanism to the position shown in Fig. 13 as the actuatingcam, 141, recedes from the lever-arm, 136, the cam, 141, and the lever,

:5 136, being so adjusted that the extreme` 10 Vto be folded.

lVe have shown in Fig. 15 of the drawings vthe feed-board approximatelyof the shape of a collar-band, the back ofthe board being shown in suchfigure. The springhooks, 143, projecting beyond the face of the board,as shown in Fig. 13, are secured to the back of the board by means ofscrews, 146, and serve to support the blank and prevent its slippingdown the face of the board when in the position shown in Fig. 13. Theends of the', blank are secured to the board by lneans of thecrank-arms, 147, which may be made of wire or other like .luateriaL Thecrank-shafts, 152, are capable of rocking and slide movements insupporting sleeves, 148, fixed upon the back 'of the board.

The inner end of each shaft is provided with a rock-lever, 149,connected by a spring, 150, with the fixedsupport on the board, asscrew, 151, which tends to force the crank-arm, 147, against the back ofthe board. The crank-shafts, 152, are eachV provided with a coil-spring,153, bearing at oneend upon the sleeve, 148, and at the other end uponthe lever, 149, which tends to force the shafts inwardly from the endsot' the board towardits middle. Fixed to the back of the board are thestops, 154, adapted to be engaged Vby the levers, 149, when thecrank-shafts have been pushed outwardly and hold the shafts in outwardposition, the levers being yieldingly held in engagement with .the stopsby the springs 150.

'hen ready to receive a blank the crankarms, 147, are in the positionshown by solid lilies in Figs. 13, and 15 that is projecting beyond theends and in front of the feed hoard. T he blank is placed on the frontof the board with its lower edge resting upon the hooks, 143, and itsends between the crank-arms and the 'plane of the faee of thefeed-board. The crank-arms are pushed back, forcing the ends of theblank hack of the plane of the feed-board until the levers, 149, slipfrom .the stops, 154, whereupon the crank-arms are drawn inwardly alongthe hack of the board to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 15.ll`he springs, 150, forcing the. crank-arms against the bark of theboard, cause, them to clamp the ends 0f' the blank firmly hetween thearms and board. The crankarlus, lli', are also provided eaeh with aprojection, 156, projecting beyond the face or front of the board sothat they will engage the rotary bed of the machine when the blank isfed thereon and rock the crank'- shaft', 152, sufficiently to relax thegrip of arms, 14T, upon the ends of the blank permitting the endsof theblank to straighten out and escape from the arms so that when the boardis swung back from the rotary bed vto the position shown in Fig. 13 theblank will be permitted to remain upon the rotary bed of the machine inposition to be operated upon by the folding mechanism.

'lhe feed attachments mounted upon block, 160, can be removed-from themachine deposited on the bed Awhereupon after the` folding operation iscompleted -the formerplates are lifted up again to the position shown bydotted lines in Fig. 13, the bed rotated So as to carry the bed-surfaceson which the blank, just folded on 'one side, rests, one space to theleft-.whereupon another blank is deposited on the, exposed plane surfaceon the right and the former again broughtdown and the folders operatedas before to fold the front side or edge of the blank last deposited andthe infolded edge of the blank previously deposited, whose front edgeswere previously folded.

.As a means for securely retaining the blank first deposited on theplane surface of the bed in position thereon after its front edges havebeen folded and while the bed is being rotated one space to the left weprovide eaeh of the seven plane surfaces of the bed with a series ofprojecting points, 170, which are forced into the fabric of the blanksand serve to hold them in the same relativeposition during the rotarymovements of the bed.

As a means for supporting that edge of the blank last to be folded in araised position so that. the folder-plate will withcertainty' pass underthe edge of the blank during its initial'folding movement to fold theedge of the blank over a former-plate A we provide a Series ofspring-controlled projeetions or lifters, 171, in the bed ofthe. machinewhieh will lift up the edge of the blank but will then be depressed intogrooves or slots in the b ed b v the movement of the folder so as not tointerfere with its folding xnovemeni. 'l`wo methods of applying suchpoints and lifters are shown in Figs. 9, 10, 11

and 12. The bed-plates, 173, are made detachable being provided withscrew-holes, 174, by which they can be secured to the rotary bed. Thatportion of the detachable bed-plate shown on the left of Fig. 9 isprovided on its undersurfacc which. is the surface exposed to view inFig. 9 with grooves, 175, having near each end and midway of the groovea screw-aperture 178. The groove shown on the left is empty, the one onthe right adjacent .to it is shown provided with a wire bent to form onone end a lifter, 171, which occupies the slot, 176, and on the otherend a point, 170, which occupies the slot, 177, a s1de viewof the wiredetached being shown in Fig. 10. The wire is held in the groove by meansof a screw 179. The yielding nature of the wire permits the lifter andpoint to be depressed below the face of the plate.

A preferable method of supporting the' lifters and points is shown atthe righthand end of Fig. 9 where a separategroove is provided for thelifters and points, and the screw-hole is located near one end of thegroove instead of near the middle mak ing the distance between the screwand the point or lifter nearly double that in the other form ofconstruction, and thereby securing av better spring movement of thelparts when' depressed below the face of the edi?" f 1 IFig. shown a.lifter andVV point on onefwire and in Figs. 11 and 12 only one point andone lifter is shown on a single wire; and the relative position of thepoints and lifters to the bed-plate when they are free to projecttherefrom is shown by dotted lines in Figs. 11 and 12, the dotted linesindicating an end view of the bed-plate 173.

The general operation of the machine in folding collar or cuff blanks isas follows Starting with the position of the cams shown in Figs. 4 and 5of the drawings the first movement of the folding mechanism is producedby cam, 90, which operates the folder-actuating mechanism as beforeexplained to cause the folder-plates to fold the edges of the yblankover the formerplates, then the cam, 61, (Fig. 4) engages lever, 60, tooperate the mechanism which expands and contracts the former-plates, thecani serving to contract the plates and the spring, 64, to expand thesame, after which the cams, 108, on one end of the machine and, 109, onthe opposite end of the machine engage the followers. 105 and 106, tolift the vertically movable bed to its highest limit to press the foldededges of the blank whereupon the cam, 37, Fig. 4, engages thecam-follower, 34, to actuate the mechanism which lifts the former fromthe bed of the machine to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 13and hold it in a -raised position until cam, 38, passes tbe follower,34, allowing spring, 32, to return the former to the bed of the machine.Vhile the former is in elevated position the lcams, 110, next pass thefollowers, 105 and 106, allowing the bed to drop and discontinue thepressure upon the blanks between the bed and folders whereupon thefolders are drawn back by means of the cam, 93, passA ing the follower,84, allowing the spring, 94, to retract the folder-plates at which timethe teeth, 123, engage the teeth, 120, secured to the rotary-bed torotate the bed one space, the bed being allowed to drop while thisoperation is continued by means of the lowest cam depression immediatelyfollowing cams 110. The next movement is produced by cam, 141, (Fig. 13)which actuates the feeding mechanism to deposit a fresh blank upon therotary bed, directly after which the cam, 38, passes the follower, 34,and allows the expanded former to be forced down upon the blanks bymeans of the spring, 32, in position to be acted upon by the folders,actuated by the cam, 90, which inaugurates a repetition of the operationdescribed.

The number of plane sides or surfaces on the rotary bed can be variedwithin certain limits, but we find the mostl practical form ofconstruction is that of a bed having seven plane surfaces arrangedsubstantially as shown. y

The surfaces should be plane to afford a proper bed for the blanks andthe folders and formers, and the number of surfaces should be such thatthe angular projections which are the most remote from the axis of therotary bed shall not projectI so far from the axis fas to necessitatetoo much vertical movement of the bearings of the bed to enable theprojections to clear the 'folderplates When'the bed is rotated. It isalso desirable to have the plane surfaces of the bedv of such a Widthmeasured circumferentially of the shell that the working surfaces `ofthe successive plane beds may vbe relatively near each other whereby theformerhead can be made relatively small and compact which will ermitboth the formerplates and connectlons to be supported from a singlehead.

V By having the bed rotary and folding the opposite side edges of ablank successively on different beds, We are able to fold narrow blankswhich it would be impossible to fold on machines heretofore producedwhere all the sides of the blank are folded at the same time on a singlebed.

When all the sides are folded simultaneously the blank must be wideenough to -permit the former-plates to be withdrawn toward each otherfrom the folds before the plates can be lifted from the blank, and ifthe blank was very narrow the former-plates or their supports wouldstrike each other before being fully withdrawn from the machine ispreferably made of two sections,

folds, but with our form of construction by which the opposite sides ofa blank are folded successively the former-plates can be withdrawn fromthe folds without interfering with each other, even though the blank wasso narrow that the folded over edges would meet and actually contactwith each other.

Any known form of construction may be utilized in the construction andoperation of the folder and former-plates. We have, however, shown animproved form of construction for actuating the folder-plates. Theplates, 200 and 201, are secured to and supported by slide-blocks; thatplate, on the rear side of the machine which folds only one edge of theblank, being supported by the block, 190, and those on the front side bythe slide-blocks, 191, and 192.

In our said Patent, No. 713,230, two crank` disks are employed for eachseparate folderblock to communicate thereto the required slidemovements, but we have ascertained that a single pair of crank-disks,'70, may be made to operate the two blocks, 191 and 192, when the twoblocks are connected by a bar, 193, secured in the channel, 194, formedin the lower side of such blocks, as by the screw, 195, inserted frolnthe upper side of one block. It is immaterial which block is secured tothe bar but one of the blocks should be unsecured so as to permit offree slide movements of the blocks to and from each other. The bar ispreferably made of sufficient length to extend nearly the whole lengthof the block which slides thereon so as to maintain the two blocksalways in the same line with each other. With this connection betweenthe two blocks it is obvious that a rotary movement of the disk, 70, ina direction to cause their cranks to approach each other will cause theblocks to slide toward each other and toward the middle portion of themachine, and a rotary movement in the opposite direction will cause theblocks to recede from each other and move toward the front edge of themachine thereby producing the same relative movement of the twofolder-supporting blocks which was shown and described in said PatentNo. 713,230, and for the same purpose, that is, to cause thefolder-plates to fold the edges of one side and ends of the blank overthe former-plates.

rlhe blocks are preferably provided with separate end-pieces, 197, whichare adjust ably secured thereto by means of the screwbolts, 198, passingthrough the slot, 199, which permits the end folder-pla tes, 200 and201, to be adjusted at different distances from each other toaccommodate the machine for folding collar blanks of diti'erent lengths.

The folder-plate on the rear side of the 202 and 203, which areadjustably secured to the single folder-block, 190, by means of thescrew-bolts, 204, passing through slots, 205, to laccommodate, thecurves, 206, to different forms and lengths of blanks.

The arms, 210, secured to the main frame of the machine by screw-bolts,211, are made to operate upon the different parts of the folder-blocksto resist the upward pressure of the movable bed during' the operationof pressing the folded blanks. The arms are each provided with a screwor other adjust- 'able finger, 212, adapted to bear upon thefolder-blocks. These screws may be turned or adjusted to afforddifferent degrees of pressure, then locked in position by thelocking-nuts 213.

The former-plates, 21 and 22, are secured to the former-blocks, 220,which blocks are adjustably secured to the carriers, 221 and 222,respectively by means of screws 223. The carriers, 222, shown inperspective in Fig. 16 are each provided on their lower surfaces with adepending flange, 224, to which the lformer-blocks are directly secured,and on their upper surfaces with a cleat, 225, secured to the blocks asby screws, 226, also on their upper surfacel with a groove or channel,227, adapted to receive a slide-bar, 228, movable in such channelsbeneath the slide-cleat.

The slide-block, 229, is provided with a channel, 230, on its lower sideadapted to receive the slide-bar, 228, and on its upper side with anaperture, 231, adapted to receive pin, 232, depending from theslideblock, 40, actuated by link, 42, -as hereinbefore described. Theslide-cleats, 225, are adapted to slide in slide-grooves, 233, formed inthe lower surface of the formerhead. The carriers are held up againstthe lower surface of the former-head by means of t-he plates, 235,secured to the block, 236, depending from the middle portion of theformer-head as seen in Fig. 4.

It is obvious from the foregoing that slide movements of the block, 40,connected by pin, 232, with block, 229, will impart to the lattercorresponding slide movements in the slide-way, 237, formed in the lowersurface of the former-head, as seen in Fig. 2, which movements impartthrough the slide-bar, 228, similar slide movements to the carriers,222, but the cleats, 225, movable in the slideways, 233, on the lowersurface of the former-head impart to the carriers a slide movement alongthe bar, 228, to or from each other, the resultantmovements ot' thecarriers and the former-plate carried by them being diagonal movementssimilar to those shown in our said latent No. 713,230, thereby adaptingthe former-plates to Vt'old a blank on three sides.

As the former-plates, 2l, are designed to fold a blank on one side onlythe carriers, 222, by which they are carried are secured directly andpositively to the actuating slide-block, 40, on the neighboring side ofthe former-head, as indicated by dotted lilies, 39, in Figs. ,4 and 5.In Fig. 1 of the drawings is shown partly in dotted lines a blank, 240,with the former-plates, 22, resting thereon in an expanded position.

The inward movement of the folder-plates, 20() and 201, infolds the edgeof the blank over the former-plates which are afterward withdrawn andthe fold pressed as hereinbefore described. The rotary movement of theshell which supports the plurality of beds serves to carry this partlyfolded blank over to the position shown by the blank,.241, in Fig. l. Asshown at, 242, the ends of the blank have been folded over and arecovered by the expanded former-plates, 21, eX- cept at the extremecorners as shown (Fig. l.) The remaining approximately straight edgeindicated by dotted lilies, 243, is then folded over the neighboringedge of the former-plates, 21, thereby folding the remaining side of theblank which is pressed after the former-plate is withdrawn at the sametime that the folds formed on the other three sides of' the succeeding.blank are pressed, that is, by pressure between the shell, supportingthe several beds and the folder-plate. It will thus be seen that thelformer and folder-plates are arranged in sets, the former-plates, 22,and their coperating folder-plates,A 200 and 201, forming one set forfolding the blank on three sides, and the former-plates, 21, and thecoperatin folder-plates, 202 and 203, forming anot er set..

The two sets of folding mechanism act independentl of each other tointurn the edges of the blan and act successively on the same blankwhich renders it possible to employ former-plates of a width and sizesufficient to approximately cover the blank without interfering withtheir slide movements which withdraw them from the folds formed byinturning the edges of the blank, whereas if the blanks were folded onall sides at the same time the space required for the formerplates andfor their movements would preclude their use with small or narrow blankslike those shown in Fig. 1.

The member, or shell, which supports the lurality of beds or blanksupporting suraces, being ro'tary in bearings capable of reciprocatorymovements toward and from the folder-plates, renders the mechanismcapable of pressing the folded blanks between the beds and thefolderlates, and the revoluble movement of the be s located on theperiphery of the rotary shell, will carry them to and from thesuccessive sets of folding mechanism, that is, a blank will be carriedby the particular bed on which it is placed first to one set of foldingmechanism where the blank can be folded on three sides and then toanother set of folding mechanism where the same blank can be folded onthe remaining side.

Any known means for heating the rotary shell and blalik-supporting bedslnay be Veniployed. In Fig. T is shown in section a partl of a gas-pipe,2.30, provided with jet orifices, 251. adapted to maintain jets of llameinte- 7 riorly of the rotary shell, the pipe being inserted through theapertured trunnions, 9T, and connected with a gas supply, not shown.

That we claim as new aud desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. In afolding machine, the combination with a plurality of formers andfolders; and means for imparting operative movements thereto; of amovable blankzsupporting bed` cooperative with at least one of suchformers and folders in one position and with another former and folderin a different position; and means for moving such bed from oneeoperative position to another.

2. In a folding machine, the combination with a movable blank-supportingbed; and means for moving the bed from one position to another; of aformer and folder coperative with the bed to fold one edge of a blankWhile the bed is in one position; another former and folder cooperativewith the bed to fold another edge of such blank while the bed i's inanother position; and lneans for imparting operative movements to theformers and folders, substantially as described.

3. In a folding machine, the combination with a plurality of revolubleblank-supporting beds; and means for imparting revoluble movementsthereto; of a plurality of sets of folding mechanisms each set includinga former and a folder and constructed to suecessively coperate, one setat a time with each bed in turn, substantially as described.

4. In a folding machine, the combination with a plurality of sets offolding mechanisms each including a former and a folder: of ablank-supporting bed movable from one to another, of said sets of'folding mechanisms and coperative therewith successively; and means foroperating the several parts.

5. In a folding machine, the combination with a plurality of sets offolding mechanisms each including a former and a folder; 1z0 of arotatory member having a plurality of blank supporting beds adapted tobe brought by the rotation of such member successively into position t-ocoperate with said sets of folding mechanisms successively, and meansfor operating the several parts.

In a folding machine, the combination with a plurality of sets offolding mechanisms, each including a former and a folder, and arrangedto operate in a plane at. an

angle to the plane of operation of another set; of a rotatively mountedshell having on its periphery a plurality of blank supporting bedsadapted to be brought by rotation of said shell successively intoposition to cooperate with said sets of folding mechanisms successively,and means for operating the several parts.

7 In a folding machine, the combination with a plurality of sets offolding mechanisms each including a former and folder; of a memberrotatory in bearings capable of reciprocatory movements toward and fromsuch sets and provided with a blanksupporting surface capable ofrevoluble movements toward and from such sets successively; means forimparting reciprocatory movements to the blank-supporting surface at onetime and means for imparting revoluble movements, at other times,substantially as described.

8. In a folding machine, the combination with two folder-plate sections,on one side of the machine, provided with a slide connection extendinglengthwise of the platesections; of a single actuating crank connectedby a close-fitting connection with each section whereby a circularmotion is imparted to the plate sections; and means for operating thecranks, substantially as described. Y

9. In a folding machine, the combination with two folder-plates adaptedto fold one side of a blank and portions of two other and oppositelydisposed sides; of a slideconnection between the plates extendinglengthwise of their neighboring parts and transversely of the otherparts which are adapted to fold portions of the opposite VIl ,071,677

through the upper surface; of blank-retaining pins severally projecting,through the small apertures, above the upper surface of the bed andprovided with supporting spring-Shanks located in the grooves, and meansfor securing the Shanks in the grooves, substantially as described.

11. In a folding machine, having its bed movable, the combination with abed-plate having on its lower side a plurality of grooves, severallyprovided with a small aperture leading from the groove ,through an uppersurface engageable with a folderplate; of blank-lifting fingersseverally projecting, through the small apertures, aloovt` the uppersurface of the bed and provided with supporting spring-Shanks located inthe grooves; and means for securing thc Shanks in the grooves,substantially as dcscribed.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 24th day ofDecember, 1904.

JOHN MAITLAND. WALTER J. BEATTIE.

Vitnesses:

E. M. OREILLY, S. C. BOOTH.

